12 February 2008
Winter cheer for frozen fells
Campaigning and conservation organisation, Friends of the Lake District (FLD), has given the National Park a welcome winter boost. The society has promised to donate £40,000 each year for the next five years as part of the Fix the Fells Appeal to raise almost £3 million towards repairing seriously eroded paths on the fells.
The money will go towards plans to carry out repair work on paths in the Lake District between now and 2011. The restoration work is carried out by the Lake District National Park Authority, National Trust and Natural England and began in 2001. Since that time more than 100 paths have been mended. This latest donation from Friends of the Lake District is on top of more than £150,000 which it has already given over the last five years to help repair well-loved and seriously eroded routes in the National Park and to provide preventative "stitch in time" work.
Policy Officer at FLD Judith Moore said "It's great to contribute to a partnership that is really making a difference in repairing erosion and supporting on-going maintenance once repairs have taken place. This is one way we can help to ensure that people can continue to enjoy the hills".
The project received a boost in 2007 after securing additional lottery funding until 2011. Continuing support also comes from the Tourism and Conservation Partnership, the Ramblers Association and public donations.
"We cannot thank Friends of the Lake District enough for its generosity and commitment to repairing damage caused by the 12 million people who visit our area every year. This represents a fantastic boost to our appeal" said the Lake District National Park Authority's Fix the Fells project officer Richard Fox.
Log on to special website www.fixthefells.co.uk to see how paths are damaged and how donations can be made to repair them.
ENDS
Editors Notes:
1. For further information contact Martin Varley or Judith Moore on 01539 720788.
2. Friends of the Lake District is a registered charity committed to enhancing and protecting the landscape and natural beauty of Cumbria and cooperating with other bodies with similar objectives or interests. We are also regional representatives for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, a national charity that helps people keep their local countryside beautiful, productive and enjoyable for everyone. Friends of the Lake District theme for 2007 is 'Cumbria - It's Your Landscape'. Throughout the year we are focusing our work on the range of special qualities of Cumbria's landscape and encouraging local people to enjoy, celebrate and enhance this great resource on their doorstep.
3. Fix the Fells is a five-year partnership project (2007-2011) run by the Lake District National Park Authority, The National Trust and Natural England. Support and funding is provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Friends of the Lake District, Tourism and Conservation Partnership, FSC (Field Studies Council), the Ramblers Association and members of the public. For further details see www.fixthefells.co.uk
